Corn-popping machine



July 19, 1955 H. R. CRANK CORN-POPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /66 w m INVENTOR.

= flaw/0 R /40? A770 NEK July 19, 1955 H. R. CRANK CORNPQPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fldfia/a E Gram? KW A770 NEV.

Filed Feb. 24, 1953 July 19, 1955 H. R. CRANK CORN-POPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 24, 1953 INVENTOR. Ham/d R 6mm? Zl/ J ATTOR K United States Patent F 2,713 ,3 02 CQRN-PGPPING lViACHiNE Hamid R. Crank, Gverland Thomas E. Scoiicid,

Park, Kane, assignnr to Kansas City, Mo.

This invention relates to automatic corn poppers, and more particularly to an improved corn popper of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,607,283, issued August 19, 1952.

A primary object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus of the general character disclosed in the above patent, in which means are provided for agitating the corn to aid in popping. In this connection, it is a further object to provide means for removing unpopped kernels or old maids prior to the point of discharge.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved mechanism for varying the output of the machine over a wide range without disturbing the uniformity of popping.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable storage space for receiving the popped corn as it is discharged from the popper, and through which heat is circulated to keep the popped corn in a fresh and delectable condition.

Other and further objects together with the feature of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention, the top of the salt and corn bin being partially broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, part in section and part broken away for purposes of illustration,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the corn-popping mechanism with the cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the corn-popping trough with the rotatable partitions seen in Fig. 3 removed, and at 90 counterclockwise of the view shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a developed view schematically illustrating the profile of the bottom of the corn-popping trough;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a partial transverse vertical section through I the cabinet showing the details of the vertically adjustable bottom in the storage bin for popped corn;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified form of agitator;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a further modification of the agitator;

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical circuit through which the corn charging mechanism is actuated;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the details of the eccentric actuated agitator mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows and showing the bottom of the mechanism for charging the popper with raw corn and salt, part being broken away for purposes of illustration, and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 g of Fig. 12 in the direction of the arrows.

Patented duly 5.9, 1955 ice Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the corn-popping mechanism, generally indicated at 29, of the present invention is mounted in a rectangular display cabinet having a front side 2'1, rear side 22, and ends 23. The bottom 24 of the cabinet is adapted to rest on the floor, and the corn-popping mechanism is carried within and at one end of the upper portion of the cabinet as seen in Fig. 2. While the details of the corn-popping mechanism will be more fully described hereinafter, the discharge of popped corn therefrom is directed over an arcuate plate 25 (see Fig. 2) extending transversely of the cabinet adjacent the popping mechanism 20 into a storage space or well having a bed 26. The side walls of the storage well, indicated respectively at 27 and 28, are spaced inwardly of the side walls 2i and 22 of the cabinet and join at their upper ends horizontal plates 29 and 30 which form platforms or level surfaces on either side of the well. One end wall of the well is formed by the inner plate 31 of the double wall construction at the end 23 of the cabinet opposite the corn-popping mechanism, and the other end wall of the well is formed by a vertically disposed partition plate 32 running transversely through the cabinet below the arcuate discharge plate 25.

That portion of the cabinet located above the storage well described above is preferably provided on the front 21 and ends 23 with glass walls as at 33, the rear side 22 preferably being left open for access to the storage well and the popping mechanism.

As is probably best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the bed 26 for the storage well comprises a perforated plate which is carried in a rectangular frame 34 which forms the borders of the bed. A vertical flange 35 is secured to the underside of the bed on each side thereof approximately at the mid-point, and each flange is provided with sections 35a extending through similarly located vertical slots 27a and 28a in the side walls 27 and 28 of the well. The outer ends of the flanges 35 are attached to and carried by chains 36 located on opposite sides of the well. Each chain 36 passes around two sprockets 37 and 38 vertically disposed with respect to one another and located respectively near the top and bottom of the well. The lower sprockets 38 on opposite sides of the well are mounted on and keyed to a crossshaft 39 (see Figs. 1 and 2) extending across the bottom of the well and the upper sprockets 37 are axially aligned and mounted on short shafts 40 secured to and projecting outwardly from the walls 27 and 28 of the well. Attached to the upper sprocket 38 located on the rear side of the well is a pinion gear 41 which can be driven in either direction by a meshing pinion 42 mounted on the end of a crankshaft 43 extending through the rear side 22 of the cabinet. A handle 44 is affixed to the outer end of the crankshaft 43 for turning same to raise and lower the bed 26.

To insure that the popped corn in the storage well will remain in fresh condition, means are also provided for circulating heated air therethrough. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, running horizontally along the bottom of the cabinet and discharging into the storage well through an aperture 4-5 in partition plate 32 is a conduit 46 in which are positioned electrical heating elements 47. The other end of the conduit connects With a standard blower 48, which forces air through the conduit 46 where it is heated by elements 47, and thence into the Well below bed 26. By virtue of the blower pressure and the heat, the air rises upwardly through the perforations of the bed 26 (as shown by the arrows) to circulate through the popped corn.

Turning now to the description of the popping mechanism 2G and its associated parts, the entire unit is carried by and supported on a horizontal base plate or table 49 (see Fig. 2) Whose edges are attached to the cabinet the vanes in any suitable fashion. A vertical hollow cylindrical support 54 rests upon and is afiixed to base plate 49, and mounted upon the upper end of support 50 by means of a sleeve-and-shoulder connection 51 is a circular member 52 forming with its upper surface an annular trough or pan, the details of which are best seen in Figs. 3, 4, and 6. A vertical shaft 54 extends centrally through the support 50, being journaled therein at opposite ends in bearing plates 55 secured to the inside of the support; as shown in Fig. 6, shaft 54 is suspended from a circular plate 56 threaded to the top thereof, which rests upon I a bearing 57 supported at its opposite end on the upper bearing plate 55.

The lower end of shaft 54 connects with a suitable electric motor 59, and mounted on the shaft 54 are three disc-like elements 60, 61 and 62, respectively, which, as will be described hereinafter, serve as actuators for the mechanism by which charges of raw corn and salt are selectively introduced into the popper. Mounted on top of shaft 54 and adapted to rotate therewith is a dome-like cylindrical member 63 having secured thereto a plurality of outwardly extending angularly spaced vanes 64 which serve as partitions dividing the trough into a plurality of separate compartments of substantially uniform size. Member 63 is provided with a closure plug 65 at its lower end which rests upon plate 56. Formed centrally on plate 56 is in a rectangular aperture in the plug 65 so that member 63 is keyed to shaft 54 to r0- tate therewith. A cover 66, whose vertical wall is aligned with and seats upon a rabbeted shoulder 67 formed in the rim of the outer wall of the trough forms a closed annular passageway with the trough in which the vanes 64 are free to travel.

64 are spaced above the floor or bottom of the trough, each is provided with the vane. The extension members 64 to be freely slidable up and down, the preferred form of connection being shown in Figs. 3 and 6 and consisting of bolts 69 secured to the extension members 68 and slidably received in vertical slots 70 formed in the vanes. 70 are enlarged at their upper popcorn along the direction.

agitator section,

cast into'the bottom of the trough 52.

Oil or other suitable liquid seasoning is introduced into thewell through a series of spaced apertures or ports 74 which communicates with a reservoir 75 provided on the predetermined level in the reservoir. This keeps the bottom of the seasoning well from B to C covered with liquid to a predetermined depth at all times.

Raw popcorn is introduced into the chamber at 79 as will be explained presently, and is swept or pushed slowly ahead by the vanes 64 and their extensions 68. The kernels, by virtue of While as illustrated in Fig. 5, a ridge from D to E separates the seasoning well from the slightly higher agitator section, it will be noted from Fig. 4 that a sloped vanes 64 and extensions '68 to flow back into the well.

To carry away the smoke and fumes from inside the and the fumes and are carried by a vertical continuation 82b downwardly into the lower of a screw 71:: and

The agitators 71 are spaced sufliciently far from one another to insure that as they are rotated or oscillated, their arms will be free from interference, and the recess in the pan floor is curved as at 83 to partially surround each one. The reason for curving the wall of the recess is of course to insure that the kernels will be confined to the area of the agitators 71 so that the maximum benefit of their action will be obtained.

As has been previously noted, during the time of travel of each vane 64 through the seasoning 'well, i. e., from A to D, the extension plates 68 ride on the bottom of the pan. However, once they have ridden up the slope leaving the seasoning well (from C to D), the plates 68 no longer ride of the bottom of the pan but are carried on a narrow track 84 adjacent the inside wall of the trough. The surface of track 84 is slightly above the level or" the agitators 71, and continues from D to .A,

thereby supporting the extensions 68 as the vanes pass The means for driving the agitators 71 in an oscillating rotary motion about their centers 71a is best understood from Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 11. Referring first to Fig. 4, it will be noted that one inwardly extending spoke 71b pan or popping of each agitator 71 is slidably received in an aperture provided in an upstanding flange 85 at the outer end of an arm 86. The inner ends of arms 86 merge with a generally C-shaped member 87 (see Fig. 11) which, as is best shown in Fig. 6, lies adjacent the track 84.

To oscillate the C-shaped member 87, and thereby the agitators 71, I have developed the following arrangement. Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 11, it will be noted that the inside wall of the trough is provided with an L-shaped passageway through which extends a generally L-shaped arm member 89. The vertical leg of arm 89 is connected with the C-shaped member 87 and the horizontal leg is carried by a sleeve 90 which rotatably encircles the bearing 57 and fits loosely between the upper bearing plate and the circular plate 56 at the top of shaft 54. A second arm 91 is angularly spaced from arm 89 and extends outwardly from the sleeve in? to pivetally connect by means of a pin 92 with a linklii;e member 93. The other end of link 93 is pinned as at 94 at an eccentric location on a of a vertical shaft 96. Shaft 96 extends downwardly parallel and spaced laterally from shaft 54 to connect at its lower end with a small electric motor 97 near the bottom of the housing (see Fig. 2). From the foregoing, it will be obvious that through the rotation of the small motor-driven shaft 96, the C-shaped member 87 and the agitators 71 are given a continuous oscillatory movement.

Instead of the spoked agitators illustrated in Fig. 4, it is contemplated that arrangements such as those shown respectively in Figs. 8 and 9 may be used. The unit shown in Fig. 8 comprises a plate-like member 98 which is curved to conform with the curvature of the trough and is provided with a plurality of non-radial slots 98a arranged in a herringbone pattern over its entire surface. Unlike the agitators 71, however, plate 98 is stationary in the bottom of the trough, and the agitating mechanism previously described may be dispensed with. In this connection, it will be understood that the curved portion 83 of the recess in the pan floor is eliminated, the inner and outer edges of member 98 being disposed closely adjacent the inner and outer side walls of the trough. The diagonal slots 98a, coupled with the advancing vanes 1G4, cause the kernels of corn to be impelled transversely of the trough and effectively agitate same.

The unit shown in Fig. nection with arm 89, and as is shown, comprises an arcuate hub 99 from which projects a plurality of angularly spaced legs or spokes 180 bent intermediate their ends to provide a non-radial portion which serves to draw the kernels inwardly during the clockwise phase of the oscillation, and thus insure of fairly even distribution of the kernels over the width of the pan bottom. As is true in the case of the modification shown in Fig. 8, the curved portions 83 of the pan recess are omitted, the spokes 100 extending substantially from the inner wall of the trough to the outer and being of equal length.

To catch any imperfectly popped kernels or, as they are frequently denoted, old maids, a sector of the pan bottom is provided clockwise of the agitator section with an aperture covered with a grill-like top 101. The individual rods making up the grill 161 are spaced from one another a distance suflicient to let the old maids drop through while still supporting the popped corn which is pushed by the vanes 64 into the discharge chute 1G2 from whence it flows into the storage well previously described. A funnel 103 is provided under the grill 181 to direct the old maids into any suitable receptacle for collection and disposal.

The apparatus by which raw corn and salt are charged into the popping mechanism may be best understood by referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2. Mounted on the cabinet of the machine above the popping mechanism is a generally rectangular box-like structure 164 which is divided into three compartments; a storage hopper 1% for the raw corn; a smaller hopper 106 within and at disk 95 carried at the upper end 9 is intended for direct conwhich is for the salt; and the relatively narrow container 77 providing a reservoir for the liquid seasoning, as has already been described. Both hoppers 105 and 106 are provided with downwardly converging side walls on three sides and terminate at an equal level below which is mounted a shuttle-valve assembly which is detailed in Figs. 12 and 13. The shuttle-valve assembly is housed in a rectangular box-like structure 107 secured to the bottom of the hopper assembly (see left side of Fig. 3) and leading therefrom downwardly to the popping mechanism is a chute 108 having a flared upper end 169, through v hich the increments of raw corn and salt are delivered to the inside of the trough at 79.

The slide of the shuttle valve is shown at 110, and comprises a block-like unit having extending from one end a stem 111 which connects with the moving portion of a solenoid 112. A coiled spring 113 encircles stem to urge the slide toward its outermost posi- As is particularly shown in Fig. 13, cut through 110 is an inclined vertical slot 114 which, as will described presently, serves as a pocket to receive the raw corn from the hopper when the solenoid is actuated and delivers same to the discharge chute 108 upon return of the slide to its normal position. The bottom plate 115 of the corn hopper is provided with an aperture 116 normally closed by the slide, and below slide is a second plate 117 also having an aperture 118 with which the lower end of slot 114 registers as shown. It will be evident that upon shifting of the slide 111' to the right, the upper end of slot 114 is brought into position under aperture 116, and corn flows by gravity from the corn hopper 105 into the pocket formed thereby. Then, upon the return of the slide to its normal position the corn in the pocket is released through the aperture 113 into the discharge chute 193 and to the popper.

Operating simultaneously with the delivery of raw corn to the popper is the salt dispenser which is integral with the slide 110. As is seen Fig. 13, extending from the lower left-hand corner of the slide 11%) is a horizontal plate 119 which rides upon bottom plate 117 and projects through a suitable slot beyond a chute 120 extending vertically below the salt hopper 106. An aperture 121 is provided in extension plate 119 adjacent the slide 116. it will be evident that the aperture 121 is filled with salt, and as the slide 110 is shifted to the right, the salt contained therein will be pushed into the discharge aperture 118 and fall through chute 129 into the hopper. Upon return of tne slide 11%, the aperture 121 will aga be filled for the next sequence of operation. The antnt of salt which is pushed out can be regulated by adjusting screw 122 which shifts a cover plate 123 laterally within the salt chute. Cover plate 123 extends through a suitable slot in the side of the salt chute 120.

The electrical circuit through which operation of the solenoid 112 is controlled is shown diagrammatically in 'g. At the left of the figure are shown the three one end of hopper 105,

11 t c-n it). disc-like elements or cams 69, 61 and 62, which, as pointed out earlier herein, are mounted in coaxial arement at the lower end of shaft 54 (see Fig. 2) and ad pted to turn therewith. Each disc is provided in its rim with a series of depressions 124 in which are adapted to be received detents mounted on the ends of tension micro-switches 125, one switch being provided for each disc. Manual switches 69a, 61a and 62a are also provided for closing the circuits to each micro switch selectively, and energizing the circuit from electrical lines 126. it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that with the manual switches closed, the solenoid 112 will be actuated at intervals commensurate with the angular spacing of the depressions 124, since each time a detent on a micro switch falls into a depression, the circuit is closed.

Preferably there are as many total depressions 124 on the discs as there are vanes or partitions 64 inside the 112 will'be under the control only of the remaining discs,

and thus the rate of charging may be varied according to the amount of popped corn desired while still maintaining the rate of rotation of the vanes 64 at a fixed value.

As shown in the drawing, disc 60 is provided with two depressions 124, which for convenience can be described as being located at and 180. With manual switch 60a closed, and switches 61a and 2a open, it will be obvious that for every revolution of the shaft 54 (and thus the disc) there will be two charges of corn delivered into the popping trough, i. e., the slide 110 will be actuated twice. By closing manual switch 61a, the efiect of disc 61 and its associated micro switch 125 is added to that of disc 60, and a total of six charges is obtained at 60? intervals since the depressions on disc 61 are located at 60, 120, 240 and 300. The last disc, 62, is provided with six more depressions located respectively at 90, 150, 210, 270, and 330. By closing manual switch 620, the effect of these depressions is added to that of the preceding discs to provide a total of twelve equally spaced charges for every complete revolution of the shaft 54 and vanes 64. Inas- 7 much as [have illustrated a machine having twelve vanes (and thus twelve compartments), this represents the full capacity of the machine. 7

By selective closing of the manual switches, the solenoid actuated valve assembly can be caused to deliver anywhere from two to twelve charges of raw corn to the a machine per revolution; and whether the machine is used at full capacity or'at only part capacity, the corn delivpredetermined uniform manner since the rate of travel of the corn through the popping trough never varies. always added with the oil or liquid seasoning The proper amount of salt is corn, and the proper amount of always is maintained in the seasoning well by means of supply line 76 and float valve 78. 7 From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one Well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subconibinations. This is contemplated by and is Within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a continuous corn-popping mechanism, a trough, agitator means located on the bottom of the trough through a portion of its length, means for introducing raw as to permit the lower edge thereof to move up and down freely, track means elevated above the level of the bot- .tom of the trough throughout said agitator portion in *9 0 through, and a discharge aperture in said trough succeeding said agitator portion through which popped corn is delivered.

2. In a continuous corn-popping mechanism, atrough, a series of vertical partitions subdividing the'trough along the partitions, dispensing means actuated responsive to the movement of said carriage means to selectively introduce a charge of raw corn between certain pairs, of said partitions, agitator means located on the bottom of the trough through a portion of its length, and means lifting said extension partitions above said agitator means during the travel of the partitions past said portion.

3. In a continuous corn-popping machine, a housing forming an elongated passageway enclosed on all sides, said passageway having an'inlet for raw corn, conveyor means in said passageway including a plurality of transverse partitions positioned at longitudinally spaced intervals along the passageway and dividing same along its length into a series of compartments, mechanism driving said conveyor means to advance said compartments said passageway in continuous cam elements connected with said driving mechanism and driven thereby, electrical switches disposed adjacent each cam and adapted to open and close at predetermined intervals responsive to movement of its respective cam element, and means actuated responsive to said switches to introduce a charged corn into said passageway through said inlet.

4. A machine as in claim 3 including means for selectively controlling the number of switches in operative relationship with said last named means. 7 I

5. In a continuous corn-popping machine, a housing succession, a plurality of forming an elongated passageway enclosed on all sides,

said passageway having an inlet for raw corn, conveyor means in said passageway including a plurality of transverse partitions positionedat longitudinally spaced interand dividing same along its l ngth into a series of compartments, mechanism drivto advance said compartments past said inlet and along said passageway in continuous succession, a plurality of cam elements connected with said driving mechanism and driven thereby, an energized electrical circuit associated with each cam element, a switch in each said circuit arranged to open and close at selected intervals responsive to movement of the respective cam element, means actuated by said circuitsto introduce a charge of raw corn into said passageway through said inlet at predetermined intervals, and means for selectively controlling the number of circuits in operative relationship with said last named means. 7

6. A machine as in claim 5 including means actuated by said circuits to synchronously introduce a measured charge of salt into said passageway with each charge of raw corn.

7. In a continuous corn-popping machine, a generally horizontal annular trough having a bottom and concentric inner and outer side walls, a rotor concentric with said side walls, a power driven shaft connected with said rotor for turning same, spaced upright partitions in said trough subdividing same into a series of compartments of substantially uniform size, said partitions being'carried by said rotor whereby they advance in a circular path along said trough, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, an arm extending from said sleeve through an elongated slot in the inner wall of said trough, agitator members disposed on the bottom of said trough through a portion of its length,

" said members being connected with said arm, and means a plurality. of circumferentially for oscillating said arm through a limited radial disa bottom and upright marginal sidewalls, a central rotor placement to cause movement of said agitator members. in the pan having an upright sweep vane extending out- 8. A machine as in claim 7 wherein said last named wardl-y therefrom, said vane being disposed with its lower means includes a second power driven shaft disposed paredge closely adjacent the bottom of the pan, means for allel to and spaced laterally from said first shaft, an; rotating said rotor to sweep corn along the bottom of means connecting said second shaft with said sleeve to pan around said rotor, a depressed area in the botcause one complete oscillation of said sleeve for each tom of the pan located in the path of said vane, the botfull turn of said second shaft. tom of said depressed area being spaced below the lower 9. In a continuous corn-popping mechanism, a trough, edge of said vane as the latter passes thereover, means the bottom of the trough having one portion thereC? in said depressed area between the bottom thereof and the formed as awell for liquid seasoning and asucceeding porlower edge of said vane for engaging said corn as it is tion disposed above the level of the well, agitator means advanced into said area and impelling the corn in direclocated on the succeeding portion of said trough bottion transverse to the normal path of advance caused by tom, means for introducing raw corn into said well, sweep said vane, and means for applying heat to said corn in means for advancing said corn through said well ana aid d e d -e over said agitator means, said sweep means including a partition member disposed transversely in said trough References (Iited in the tile of this patent with its lower edge so disposed as to ride on the bottom UNITED STATES PATENTS of the trough, said partition member being so connected with said sweep means as to permit the lower edge therecf g0 ii-15,005 Rossebo et 2, 1925 to move up and down freely, thereby to follow the con- $2 Jackson 1311- g, 931 tour of said trough as said sweep means advances, and 13397671 Hale l 932 means cooperating with said seep means for maintain- 3 6 CTTetOTS 111 Y i 94 ing the lower edge of said partition member above aid Jafl- 19 9 agitator means during the advance of said partition mew; 25 314671155 Pmclliard i 1 i9? ber hrough said agitator portion of the trough. giggi g A l l g- 2 5 10. in a corn-popping machine, a circular pan having 

